Improvement in signs



I. C. HAMM.

SIGN.

No.175,698, Patented Aprll, 1876.

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'F.FETERS. PMOTWLITHOGRAPHER, W SH|NGTON. D. G4

UNITED STATES PATENT JOSEPH C. HAMM, OF GREENVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIGNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 175,698, dated April 4, 1876; application tiled March 9, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. HAMM, of

' Greenville, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Signs, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being` had to the accompanying' drawing, in which- Figure l represents a face view of my sign. Fig. 2 is a section of one ot' the letters with its supportingplate.v Fig. 3 is a section of the supporting-plate detached.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in the combination ot' a sul'iporting-plate ot' sheet metal with a letter, design, or character made of glass, said supporting-plate being provided with flanges to tit the edges of the letter, with lips which can be turned over said edges, and with ears for securing the same to a board or other surface, so that by means ot' said supportingplate a glass letter can be tirmly secured and readily fastened in the desired position, and a beautiful and durable sign composed otl glass letters can bepproduced at a comparatively small cost.

In the drawing, the letter A designates a letter made otf glass, or any other vitreous material, and lined on its under surface with a layer ot' metal leaf ot' any desired color or sheet met-al and provided with flanges a., titting closely the edges of the letter, so that when said letter is depressed upon its supporting-plate, it is retained against lateral displacement by said iianges. On two or more parts of the supporting-plate.are formed lips b, which, when the letter has been depressed upon said plate, can be turned over its edges, so as to retain the letter securely in position. Said supporting-plate is also provided with ears c, which are provided with holes for the reception of tacks or nails, so that each letter, after having been secured in its supporting plate, can be readily fastened to a board or other surface, and by these means a sign can be produced which is highly ornamental, superior in durability, and which can be manufactured at a comparatively small cost.

In order to increasethe durability of my sign, I secure each letter in its supportingplate by means ot' a suitable cement which prevents the rain from passing between the letters and the metallic supporting-plates, thereby obviating corrosion. When the letters are large I propose to make each letter in two or more sections, which are secured in suitable metallic supporting-plates in the manner above stated, and by these means I am enabled to produce signs with glass letters of any desired size.

I am aware that signs have been produced in which a number of letters are secured in a common frame. In signs of this class, however, glass letters are clearly impracticable,

and neither ofthe letters is firmly retained in the desired position. In my sign each letter is provided with its own supporting-plate, which tits the same closely, and which can be readily and securely fastened to a boa-rd or other surfa.;e, so that when thc .sign is completed all the letters are secured in the de.- sired position. Instead of letters ot` glass I can use designs or characters ot' any description, with the metallic supporting-plates for ornamental or other purposes.

iVhat I claim as my new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination ot' a metallic supportingframe, with a letter, design, or character made ot' glass, or other vitreous material, said supporting-frame being provided with flanges a, fitting the edges of the letter, with lips b, which can be turned over the edges ot' said letter, and with ears c lt'or securing the letter to a board lor other surface, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day ot' March, 1876.

.L G. HAMM. [L. s]

Witnesses:

W. HAUFF, J AMES L. NoRRIs. 

